Anne Marsh (1)

What I loved the most about this bundle was that all the books had one thing (other than featuring SEALS) in common--strong heroines. Few things aggravate me more than when a heroine is weak and whiny, sitting back and expecting other people to solve their problems. In these stories the women stand up and, in a few cases, face life-threatening situations head-on.

It's rare for me to rate a bundle as five stars because there's usually always one or two stories that I don't like or enjoy as show more much as the others. This is not the case here. I loved each story.

These are a part of an existing series by each author, but I haven't read any of the other books prior to this and I didn't feel like I was missing any of the backstory for any of them. I enjoyed these so much though that I'd like to go back and read some of the prior books.

**A free copy was provided by one of the authors (Kimberley Troutte) via LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.** show less

The Guardians were once angels who protected the throne of the Heavens. However, they stood accused of committing unspeakable crimes and were stripped of their wings and souls by the archangel Michael. Cast out of the Heavens, they've lived the last 3000 years on earth as Goblins, creatures that are half man and half beast, with one side constantly at war with the other. When the beast takes over, it feeds on the souls of humans, craving the light and goodness that he was stripped of.

In M show more City, Russia, in the year 2090, Club G2 is the place where Goblins seduce mortals to bond with them. A bond with one of the Fallen is powerful; in exchange for granting the Goblin his every sexual desire and the sweetness of her soul, the human gets her greatest wish fulfilled. It is at this club that Mischka Baron finds herself while searching for her missing cousin. Mischka despises all of the paranormals, and she fears that Pelinor has bonded with one of them. Brends Duranov is willing to help Mischka find Pelinor - for a price. Bond with him, and he will grant her that wish. Though Brends is deliciously tempting she refuses him until it's discovered that a rogue Goblin is murdering the Fallen and their bondmates, and now he's after Pelinor and Mischka. Unknown to Mischka, she and her cousin are descendants of an ancient tribe whose bond with a Fallen would restore his wings and return him to heaven. The killer will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. She reluctantly agrees to bond with Brends and surrender her body and soul to him as long as he can find her cousin before it's too late.

Anne Marsh has created a darkly erotic world set in the near future for her fallen angels in Bond with Me. The story had an intriguing premise: a rogue Goblin is murdering his Fallen brothers and their bondmates to prevent them from returning to heaven. The book has a fast-paced plot that grips your interest until the end. Throughout the book I was questioning who the true villains were and what was the real reason the Guardians were cast out of the Heavens. The conclusion was very satisfying, but only part of the conflict is resolved in the end which leaves an opening for future books.

The love scenes scorched the pages throughout the book. Mischka refuses to bond with him for so long that the sexual tension is tangible. In one scene, Brends finds a book of Victorian erotica hidden in Mischka's drawer with her favorite passages marked describing the secret fantasies she refuses to share with him. He uses it to his advantage in seducing her. It was enticing to see her feelings for Brends change from icy disdain to fiery lust once they are bonded. Brends seemed a bit unemotional at times, perhaps on purpose since he begins the story as a soulless Goblin. As his relationship with Mischka develops, he seems to come alive with his desire for her.

Overall, I thought this book was an enjoyable and very hot read that will appeal to fans of erotic paranormal romance, especially if you are looking for a change from the usual vampire and shifter heroes. show less

Good book about two people who pair up to win a sailing race. Declan and Charlotte each have reasons they need to win this race. Charlotte needs the prize money to replace the funds that her rat of an ex-fiancé stole from her charity. Declan must prove to his father that he's ready to take over the family business. But can two very different people find a way to work together?

I liked both Charlotte and Declan. Charlotte's charity, Martha's Kids, is very important to her, and she's show more devastated and ashamed when she discovers what her ex did. Though she's turned over all information to the authorities, the details aren't public knowledge, and she hopes to replace the missing money before it is. Entering the sailing race is her chance to get that money. It doesn't help that her father constantly puts her down. Charlotte spends a lot of effort doing everything she can to avoid notice and blend into the background.

Declan and his brother Nash were adopted by Hollywood producer JJ Masterson when they were children. JJ is a control freak, but Declan did things his way, from becoming a stuntman and actor to extreme sports and playboy shenanigans. He's recently given up some of his antics to concentrate on being part of the family business. He's furious when JJ tells him to clean up his act or lose his chance to inherit the business. He agrees to his father's demand that he partner with Charlotte to win the race. If he can avoid scandal, he'll get the company.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Charlotte and Declan. Things get off to a rough start because Declan's good looks and charming ways remind Charlotte of her ex, and she doesn't trust him. Charlotte's need for control triggers Declan's contrariness, and he has too much fun yanking her chain. This leads to a bargain between them - he'll support picking Martha's Kids as their team's charity if she consents to a makeover. With a truce called to concentrate on preparing for the race, neither expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them.

I liked seeing Declan and Charlotte get to know each other. Charlotte learns that there is more to Declan than his playboy image. His protectiveness when the paparazzi show up is sweet. Declan is intrigued by Charlotte's intelligence and big heart and finds that she makes him want to be a better man. There are some terrific scenes between them during the events leading up to the race. I especially enjoyed the ball and seeing Declan and Charlotte work together to promote Martha's Kids. When a storm ends their race and shipwrecks them on an uninhabited island, the attraction between them becomes too much to resist. But when scandal erupts after their rescue, will the publicity draw them together or pull them apart? And what about the secrets neither of them had shared with the other?

Declan and Charlotte had to deal with their insecurities before they could have a shot at a life together. Charlotte had to decide if she could trust Declan, and he had to decide if giving in to his father's demands was worth the cost. I loved Declan's confrontation with JJ and his eye-opening conversation with his brother afterward. I also liked seeing Charlotte's strength as she dealt with the fallout at her charity and her father's attitude. The ending was terrific, and Declan won my heart with his emotional reunion with Charlotte.

I wish there had been an epilogue because I'd love to see how their future plays out. After checking out the author's upcoming releases, I'm excited to see that Declan's brother Nash features in the next book. Maybe Declan and Charlotte will make a guest appearance there.

#netgalley show less

Review first posted on Reader's Edyn (blogspot)

Um … WOW! I have no other word to describe this book. This was my first Anne Marsh book and now I am wondering what the heck took me so long to read her work. Holy WOW! I was sucked in from the very beginning and found myself sinking deeper and deeper into the world of the Breaux pack. Ms. Marsh has a talent for giving the reader exactly what he or she wants and still leaving you clamoring for more. All I want to know is how quickly I can show more start the next book in the series. If you have yet to experience Ms. Marsh, you are only hurting yourself. Seriously!

TEMPTED BY THE PACK introduces us to the Breaux pack; 6 wolf shifting brothers that live deep in the bayou, away from the population that could ultimately be detrimental to their survival. The wolves are not as strong in number as they used to be, credited mainly to the vampires that hunt them. What is more is that the blue moon is upon them. At least one of the brothers needs to find a mate, his blue moon bride, if there is any hope of the pack reproducing future generations. But this special woman can only be found and claimed on this rare night; a night that allows her the opportunity to embrace the pack or reject them.

Although we find out about all of the brothers, this story is primarily Rafer’s. He knows who the bride is and prays that she will accept him as her mate. But the bride of this blue moon is human and unaccustomed to the traditions of the wolf packs; hell, doesn’t even believe in shifters until she witnesses the brothers in shift. Rafer is chosen as the mate, but not completely accepted. If their pack line is to continue, Rafer must be accepted in everything; body, mind, and soul. So he sets his mind to convince his mate of her place within the pack and their need for her presence. Problem is her unwillingness to leave her old life behind to begin a new one that she has only just discovered. Rafer is then faced with the ultimate challenge: to unite his mate and pack and find a way to intertwine their lives; or walk away from his brothers because of his inability to leave her.

Lark leads a simple life on her flower farm. Abandoned by her mother at a young age, she is brought up by her grandmother and left the farm upon her passing. She has worked hard and done everything within her capability to support the farm, but the bank will be taking her only home away from her in just a few short days. Top that with this pack of wolf shifters who now claim her as their blue moon bride and she is about at her coping limit. But she feels the connection and knows that there is some truth in the wolves’ revelation. However, asking her to leave the only life she has ever known is too much. She will go down with a fight or die trying. Besides, she is not entirely clear on exactly what Rafer means with all of this mate talk. Sure, she’s up for some forbidden nights with the dark and sexy male, but a lifetime? When she is struck with the realization of the truth of Rafer’s words, she faces a difficult decision. Does she want to accept Rafer? And beyond that, does she want to accept his family, or break them apart in a selfish bid to keep Rafer to herself? The future of the pack hangs on her shoulders alone.

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed getting to know these characters. My time was extremely well spent. Ms. Marsh does a fabulous job of conveying the importance of family in this pack as well as the strong connection that each has; a bond that links them all together on multiple levels. The instant chemistry between Lark and Rafer is nothing short of undeniable. The sex allows the reader to delve into the forbidden, eliciting blushes and provoking a naughty curiosity to read more. I especially enjoyed how each of the brothers was introduced while Ms. Marsh simultaneously allows a balance between information presented and withheld. We find out more about Luc and Dag than the others, but still see the deep connection that extends to the other brothers despite the lesser information. Also interesting is Luc’s plotline. Provided a small glimpse into his own blue moon bride hunt, I can’t wait to see how the rest of his story unfolds.

I enjoyed watching Lark struggle with her undeniable feeling within and the war she wages in her mind of what is realistic and how much she should subscribe to. In a way, her character ultimately has to find a way to grow that allows her to maintain her own values while embracing those of the wolf pack. And Rafer … well, he exudes sex: dark, broody, and rough, yet accommodating and gentle almost to a fault. His willingness to bring Lark into the pack in her own time becomes as necessary to him as breath is to life. He quickly transitions to the Alpha that will rule her, but under that tough exterior, Rafer’s heart will be commanded by Lark.

This story is crazy stimulating. Anyone who reads it is guaranteed to be satisfied. If a reader enjoys shifters, hot sex, and the loyalty of pack that transcends a basic understanding of family, then this story is a must read. There is a bit of ménage, so be warned. And who wouldn’t want to read a story with the best line I have encountered in a long time?

“You want to play Little Red Ridin’ Hood, I’m plenty happy to eat you up.”

Fabulous, no? Additionally, Ms. Marsh teases with a snippet from the next book in the series at the end. What’s more is that she doesn’t give names of the characters so the reader is left to guess who the next book is about. If you have read Ms. Marsh then I really shouldn’t have anything to say to convince you to read this book. If you haven’t, you really need to do yourself a favor and give it a try. It is a fast read and completely engrossing. In no time flat, you will likely follow my footsteps and become an instant fan of this talented author.

(eBook copy provided by author/tour company in exchange for an honest review.) show less